Religious Education
Join our philosophers and theologians all aboard Gandhi Grove for a journey of faith, diversity & respect – from novice to expert.
In our diverse society children are enriched by the diversity of cultures and beliefs and need more than ever before, to understand other peoples beliefs, cultures and traditions. Therefore religious education makes a major contribution to children’s intellectual, social and emotional education. At Park Hall our vision is to enable children to question, debate, compare and consider different answers to ‘big’ questions‘ in local, national and global contexts. Our theologists are provided with opportunities to develop skills which will enable them to become critical enquirers into the world of religion. This will be achieved by children being given opportunities to learn about and learn from religions through questioning, exploring and reflecting on religious and non religious points of view. Children will learn to articulate clearly their personal beliefs , ideas, values and life experiences whilst respecting the rights of others to differ. This will enable children to go into the world as curious, independent thinkers, who are able to appraise and consider any views that they are exposed to. At Park Hall Academy our school values are at the heart of everything we do. These are embedded throughout our RE curriculum. RE enables pupils to build their sense of identity and belonging in their community and to learn to live together respectfully in a diverse and complex multi religious and multi secular society.
Intent
- We aim to ensure that our theologians and philosophers are able to think, communicate (using their Theologians Words of Wisdom) and aspire to be expert theologians and philosophers.
- We seek to develop expert theologians and philosophers who are excited and enthused by an ambitious curriculum which enables them to know more, learn more and remember more. We seek to inspire our theologians along their journey of faith to become an experts. Our theologians and philosophers will enhance their subject knowledge, by reading and exploring a range of aspirational and religious stories, reading to learn across the curriculum. We have the highest expectations that ALL learners access the full curriculum offer.
- We aim for our theologians to be curious, explore and discover and embrace the wonders of our world and its diverse range of cultures and beliefs. Our little people will create a community where everyone is welcomed, and valued for their uniqueness.
- We seek to ensure that everyone explores and examines different peoples beliefs and consider and understand how this influences the way in which we and others live our lives.
- Together we aim for all learners to gain the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to handle questions raised by religion and belief. Theologians will be able to reflect on their own ideas and ways of living.
- We seek for our theologians and philosophers to develop a secure knowledge of religious and non religious beliefs and traditions.
Implementation
Our inspiring and aspirational Religious Education curriculum (based on the Stoke-on-Trent Agreed Syllabus) is meticulously planned to identify the knowledge and skills that our theologians will acquire. Each small step in our theologians journey has been carefully planned to ensure a challenging and progressive curriculum to meet the needs of all learners.
Theologians and philosophers will regularly revisit key concepts (over learning) and engage in regular retrieval practice which builds upon prior knowledge and enables them to make connections to deepen their understanding of new learning, committing this to long term memory.
Theologians engage in questionning and discussion to enable them to identify and make sense of core religious and non-religious beliefs and concepts, developing an understanding of what these beliefs mean within their traditions. Theologians will learn how and why religious sources and artefacts are used, expressed and interpreted in different ways.
Our learners will move from novice to expert by developing their skills of evaluating, reflecting on and connecting the beliefs and practices studied. Children will challenge ideas and our curriculum will challenge children’s thinking. Theologians will make connections between their own lives and ways of understanding the world. They will consider and question similarities and differences and make links to prior learning.
Theologians will discover and encounter a range of experiences, visits to places of worship, artefacts, sources and religious stories in order to develop an awareness and understanding of the different ways of knowing. Theologians will question whether a particular way of knowing is representative of the views of many within a faith community or an individual viewpoint. This ensures that learners develop a braod and balanced view, avoiding misconceptions and stereotypical ideas. Theologians knowledge and understanding is secured by encountering precise and accurate representations.
Our learners will move from novice to expert by examining how and why people put their beliefs into action in diverse ways. They will examine their own lives within communities and in the wider world. Our Theologians will develop and secure disciplinary, substantive and personal knowledge by regularly revisiting our Big Ideas: belonging, respect, diversity and our key concepts of belief, connections and impact.
Impact
Our theologians and philosophers, are curious and embrace the diversity of the world and its people. They have a secure understanding of religious and non religious beliefs and traditions. Our little people are reflective and make connections between learning and their own experiences and viewpoints. Theologians an philosophers sensitivly and respectfully question and investigate the views and beliefs of others. Theologians create a community in which everyone is welcomed, valued and respected for their uniqueness.
Gandhi Grove – Our Philosophers and Theologians Ticket of Entitlement
An overview of knowledge and skills, experiences and opportunities, Theologians will encounter on their journey from novice to expert.
Success For All
Our Values Are At The Heart Of Everything We Do
Honesty
Being honest is important as it builds trust and strengthens relationships. Strong and positive relationships between all members of the Park Hall family are paramount to our wellbeing.
Enjoyment
Our learning journey promotes excitement and enthusiam for learners. Our children are immersed in a curriculum which develops curiosity, through innovative and creative experiences.
Achievement
We have the highest aspirations for all and are passionate about empowering and enabling our children to develop a real love of learning and see their futures as full of possibilities.
Respect
Everyone is valued for the unique individual that they are. Together we actively promote inclusion to prepare our children to play their part as active global citizens who share a belief that difference is a positive to be embraced and celebrated.
Teamwork
Together everyone achieves more. Team Park Hall work together to support all members of our very special school family.